Holroyd eyeing a shock

FIRED-UP Doncaster Dragons player-coach Graham Holroyd believes his new team is in the perfect shape to face the Giants in Sunday's big Powergen Challenge Cup fifth-round clash at the McAlpine Stadium (3.00).

FIRED-UP Doncaster Dragons player-coach Graham Holroyd believes his new team is in the perfect shape to face the Giants in Sunday's big Powergen Challenge Cup fifth-round clash at the McAlpine Stadium (3.00).

The goalkicking half-back left Huddersfield at the end of 2003 to sign a five-year contract in South Yorkshire.

The 28-year-old Dragons playmaker, who made eight Giants appearances last season, has admitted he made the long-term commitment because he believes Doncaster could have a big future in Super League.

And Holroyd is looking at Sunday as a chance to gauge how the National League I squad is shaping up.

"The average age of the side is about 23 and I feel it has a bright future," said Holroyd, who is sharing the coaching duties with head man St John Ellis.

"I've already put in place some of the systems Tony Smith was using at the Giants last season.

"It's taken some time for the players to pick them up, but they're getting there now and Sunday is the big test.

"We aren't making any bold predictions, but we are quietly confident we can cause a shock.

"We're coming into some form, and this seems as good a time as any for us to play a Super League side."